Lakeland College Volleyball Teams Sanctioned Following Hazing Investigation

The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) has confirmed that the Lakeland College Rustlers women’s and men’s volleyball teams have been sanctioned for planning and participating in team hazing activities — a clear violation of the ACAC’s zero-tolerance hazing policy.

The incidents occurred between August 29 and September 1, 2025, culminating in an on-campus rookie party on September 1, just one day before the fall semester began. Upon learning of the allegations, the ACAC and Lakeland College launched a joint investigation, which confirmed that hazing activities took place within both programs. Evidence showed that the women’s team’s involvement was more substantiated.

Sanctions Imposed

As a result, the ACAC has issued the following sanctions:
▪️ The women’s volleyball team is suspended for the first eight matches of the 2025–26 season and will not begin ACAC competition until November 28, 2025.
▪️ The men’s volleyball team is suspended for the first four matches and will not compete until November 14, 2025.
▪️ Lakeland College has been fined $6,000, equivalent to $500 per forfeited match.
▪️ The college must issue a formal letter of apology to two recruits who experienced hazing and subsequently withdrew from Lakeland to attend other ACAC institutions.
▪️ All players and coaches from both volleyball programs must complete mandatory anti-hazing training prescribed by the ACAC before they are eligible to compete again.

The investigation also revealed that hazing had been part of a longstanding tradition among volleyball student-athletes. The ACAC condemned the behaviour in the strongest possible terms, stating that hazing “serves no valuable purpose toward the creation of a safe, inclusive, and welcoming academic and athletic environment.” The conference also announced plans to introduce an ongoing annual education program to reinforce its anti-hazing policy among all student-athletes and staff.

Lakeland College Responds

Lakeland College has accepted the sanctions.
“As an institution, we’re disappointed this has happened, but we’re in agreement with the sanctions against the teams,” said Alan Rogan, director of athletics at Lakeland College. “The investigation found that the teams participated in hazing activities, which is a violation of both Lakeland’s and the ACAC’s student-athlete codes of conduct. These activities don’t align with Lakeland’s values of respect and integrity, nor with our expectations for student conduct.”

Rogan confirmed that anti-hazing education will now expand to include all Rustlers’ athletic programs. He added that Rustlers Athletics must strengthen expectations and ensure every student-athlete and coach understands and upholds the college’s standards for conduct.